Treatment of fabric articles with hydrophobic chelants

ABSTRACT

Methods and compositions to treat fabrics with lipophilic fluid and a hydrophobic chelant are provided by the present invention.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationSerial No. 60/343,094 filed Dec. 20, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to compositions and methods totreat fabrics with a lipophilic fluid and hydrophobic chelants. Thepresent invention is also directed to compositions containing alipophilic fluid and a hydrophobic chelant.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Conventional laundering techniques for the cleaning and treatmentof fabric articles such as garments have long involved both traditionalaqueous based washing and a technique commonly referred to as “drycleaning”. Traditional aqueous based washing techniques have involvedimmersion of the fabric articles in a solution of water and detergent orsoap products followed by rinsing and drying. However, such conventionalimmersion cleaning techniques have proven unsatisfactory on a wide rangefabric articles that require special handling and/or cleaning methodsdue to fabric content, construction, etceteras, that is unsuitable forimmersion in water.

[0004] Accordingly, the use of the laundering method of “dry cleaning”has been developed. Dry cleaning typically involves the use ofnon-aqueous, lipophilic fluids as the solvent or solution for cleaning.While the absence of water permits the cleaning of fabrics without thepotential disastrous side effects water may present, these lipophilicfluids do not perform well on hydrophilic and/or combination soils.

[0005] Because these lipophilic fluids are typically used in “neat” form(i.e. they contain no additional additives), dry cleaners must oftenperform pre-treating and/or pre-spotting to remove tough soils fromfabrics prior to the dry cleaning cycle. Further, nothing is typicallyadded to boost “whiteness” or “brightness” in fabrics that aredry-cleaned as can be observed from “dingy” or “dull” fabrics returnedfrom a dry cleaner. It would be desirable to add bleaching to thelipophilic fluid treatment regimen in order to increase the lipophilicfluids' brightening, whitening, and/or soil removal capability therebyreducing or eliminating the need for pre-treating and/or pre-spotting.

[0006] Many fabrics and textiles highly valued by the consumer (e.g.,silk) are prone to undue damage when exposed to water in largequantities. For this reason garments made from such fabric and textilesmust be dry cleaned.

[0007] Accordingly, the need remains for hydrophobic chelant-containingcare and treatment regimens for use with lipophilic fluid compositions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] This need is met by the present invention wherein hydrophobicchelant-containing care and treatment regimens and compositions for usewith lipophilic fluid compositions are provided.

[0009] The present invention is directed to a method for attainingimproved fabric cleaning in a lipophilic fluid treatment regimen,wherein the method includes the steps of exposing the fabric to alipophilic fluid and exposing the fabric to a hydrophobic chelant.

[0010] The present invention is also directed to a composition forattaining improved fabric cleaning in a lipophilic fluid treatmentregimen, wherein the composition includes a lipophilic fluid and ahydrophobic chelant.

[0011] These and other aspects, features and advantages will becomeapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of thefollowing detailed description and the appended claims. All percentages,ratios and proportions herein are by weight, unless otherwise specified.All temperatures are in degrees Celsius (° C.) unless otherwisespecified. All measurements are in SI units unless otherwise specified.All documents cited are in relevant part, incorporated herein byreference.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Definitions

[0013] The term “fabrics” and “fabric” used herein is intended to meanany article that is customarily cleaned in a conventional laundryprocess or in a dry cleaning process. As such the term encompassesarticles of clothing, linen, drapery, and clothing accessories. The termalso encompasses other items made in whole or in part of fabric, such astote bags, furniture covers, tarpaulins and the like.

[0014] The term “soil” means any undesirable substance on a fabricarticle that is desired to be removed. By the terms “water-based” or“hydrophilic” soils, it is meant that the soil comprised water at thetime it first came in contact with the fabric article, or the soilretains a significant portion of water on the fabric article. Examplesof water-based soils include, but are not limited to beverages, manyfood soils, water soluble dyes, bodily fluids such as sweat, urine orblood, outdoor soils such as grass stains and mud.

[0015] Lipophilic Fluid

[0016] The lipophilic fluid herein is one having a liquid phase presentunder operating conditions of a fabric article treating appliance, inother words, during treatment of a fabric article in accordance with thepresent invention. In general such a lipophilic fluid can be fullyliquid at ambient temperature and pressure, can be an easily meltedsolid, e.g., one which becomes liquid at temperatures in the range fromabout 0 deg. C. to about 60 deg. C., or can comprise a mixture of liquidand vapor phases at ambient temperatures and pressures, e.g., at 25 deg.C. and 1 atm. pressure. Thus, the lipophilic fluid is not a compressiblegas such as carbon dioxide.

[0017] It is preferred that the lipophilic fluids herein be nonflammableor have relatively high flash points and/or low VOC (volatile organiccompound) characteristics, these terms having their conventionalmeanings as used in the dry cleaning industry, to equal or, preferably,exceed the characteristics of known conventional dry cleaning fluids.

[0018] Moreover, suitable lipophilic fluids herein are readily flowableand nonviscous.

[0019] In general, lipophilic fluids herein are required to be fluidscapable of at least partially dissolving sebum or body soil as definedin the test hereinafter. Mixtures of lipophilic fluid are also suitable,and provided that the requirements of the Lipophilic Fluid Test, asdescribed below, are met, the lipophilic fluid can include any fractionof dry-cleaning solvents, especially newer types including fluorinatedsolvents, or perfluorinated amines. Some perfluorinated amines such asperfluorotributylamines while unsuitable for use as lipophilic fluid maybe present as one of many possible adjuncts present in the lipophilicfluid-containing composition.

[0020] Other suitable lipophilic fluids include, but are not limited to,diol solvent systems e.g., higher diols such as C6- or C8- or higherdiols, organosilicone solvents including both cyclic and acyclic types,and the like, and mixtures thereof.

[0021] A preferred group of nonaqueous lipophilic fluids suitable forincorporation as a major component of the compositions of the presentinvention include low-volatility nonfluorinated organics, silicones,especially those other than amino functional silicones, and mixturesthereof. Low volatility nonfluorinated organics include for exampleOLEAN® and other polyol esters, or certain relatively nonvolatilebiodegradable mid-chain branched petroleum fractions.

[0022] Another preferred group of nonaqueous lipophilic fluids suitablefor incorporation as a major component of the compositions of thepresent invention include, but are not limited to, glycol ethers, forexample propylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol n-propyl ether,propylene glycol t-butyl ether, propylene glycol n-butyl ether,dipropylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether,dipropylene glycol t-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether,tripropylene glycol methyl ether, tripropylene glycol n-propyl ether,tripropylene glycol t-butyl ether, tripropylene glycol n-butyl ether.Suitable silicones for use as a major component, e.g., more than 50%, ofthe composition include cyclopentasiloxanes, sometimes termed “D5”,and/or linear analogs having approximately similar volatility,optionally complemented by other compatible silicones. Suitablesilicones are well known in the literature, see, for example, KirkOthmer's Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, and are available from anumber of commercial sources, including General Electric, ToshibaSilicone, Bayer, and Dow Corning. Other suitable lipophilic fluids arecommercially available from Procter & Gamble or from Dow Chemical andother suppliers.

[0023] Qualification of Lipophilic Fluid and Lipophilic Fluid Test (LFTest)

[0024] Any nonaqueous fluid that is both capable of meeting knownrequirements for a dry-cleaning fluid (e.g, flash point etc.) and iscapable of at least partially dissolving sebum, as indicated by the testmethod described below, is suitable as a lipophilic fluid herein. As ageneral guideline, perfluorobutylamine (Fluorinert FC-43®) on its own(with or without adjuncts) is a reference material which by definitionis unsuitable as a lipophilic fluid for use herein (it is essentially anonsolvent) while cyclopentasiloxanes have suitable sebum-dissolvingproperties and dissolves sebum.

[0025] The following is the method for investigating and qualifyingother materials, e.g., other low-viscosity, free-flowing silicones, foruse as the lipophilic fluid. The method uses commercially availableCrisco® canola oil, oleic acid (95% pure, available from Sigma AldrichCo.) and squalene (99% pure, available from J. T. Baker) as model soilsfor sebum. The test materials should be substantially anhydrous and freefrom any added adjuncts, or other materials during evaluation.

[0026] Prepare three vials, each vial will contain one type oflipophilic soil. Place 1.0 g of canola oil in the first; in a secondvial place 1.0 g of the oleic acid (95%), and in a third and final vialplace 1.0 g of the squalene (99.9%). To each vial add 1 g of the fluidto be tested for lipophilicity. Separately mix at room temperature andpressure each vial containing the lipophilic soil and the fluid to betested for 20 seconds on a standard vortex mixer at maximum setting.Place vials on the bench and allow to settle for 15 minutes at roomtemperature and pressure. If, upon standing, a clear single phase isformed in any of the vials containing lipophilic soils, then thenonaqueous fluid qualifies as suitable for use as a “lipophilic fluid”in accordance with the present invention. However, if two or moreseparate layers are formed in all three vials, then the amount ofnonaqueous fluid dissolved in the oil phase will need to be furtherdetermined before rejecting or accepting the nonaqueous fluid asqualified.

[0027] In such a case, with a syringe, carefully extract a200-microliter sample from each layer in each vial. Thesyringe-extracted layer samples are placed in GC auto sampler vials andsubjected to conventional GC analysis after determining the retentiontime of calibration samples of each of the three models soils and thefluid being tested. If more than 1% of the test fluid by GC, preferablygreater, is found to be present in any one of the layers which consistsof the oleic acid, canola oil or squalene layer, then the test fluid isalso qualified for use as a lipophilic fluid. If needed, the method canbe further calibrated using heptacosafluorotributylamine, i.e.,Fluorinert FC-43 (fail) and cyclopentasiloxane (pass). A suitable GC isa Hewlett Packard Gas Chromatograph HP5890 Series II equipped with asplit/splitless injector and FID. A suitable column used in determiningthe amount of lipophilic fluid present is a J&W Scientific capillarycolumn DB-1HT, 30 meter, 0.25 mm id, 0.1 um film thickness cat# 1221131.The GC is suitably operated under the following conditions:

[0028] Carrier Gas: Hydrogen

[0029] Column Head Pressure: 9 psi

[0030] Flows:

[0031] Column Flow @˜1.5 ml/min.

[0032] Split Vent @˜250-500 ml/min.

[0033] Septum Purge @1 ml/min.

[0034] Injection: HP 7673 Autosampler, 10 ul syringe, 1 ul injection

[0035] Injector Temperature: 350° C.

[0036] Detector Temperature: 380° C.

[0037] Oven Temperature Program:

[0038] initial 60° C. hold 1 min.

[0039] rate 25° C./min.

[0040] final 380° C. hold 30 min.

[0041] Preferred lipophilic fluids suitable for use herein can furtherbe qualified for use on the basis of having an excellent garment careprofile. Garment care profile testing is well known in the art andinvolves testing a fluid to be qualified using a wide range of garmentor fabric article components, including fabrics, threads and elasticsused in seams, etc., and a range of buttons. Preferred lipophilic fluidsfor use herein have an excellent garment care profile, for example theyhave a good shrinkage and/or fabric puckering profile and do notappreciably damage plastic buttons. Certain materials which in sebumremoval qualify for use as lipophilic fluids, for example ethyl lactate,can be quite objectionable in their tendency to dissolve buttons, and ifsuch a material is to be used in the compositions of the presentinvention, it will be formulated with water and/or other solvents suchthat the overall mix is not substantially damaging to buttons. Otherlipophilic fluids, D5, for example, meet the garment care requirementsquite admirably. Some suitable lipophilic fluids may be found in grantedU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,865,852; 5,942,007; 6,042,617; 6,042,618; 6,056,789;6,059,845; and 6,063,135, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0042] Lipophilic fluids can include linear and cyclic polysiloxanes,hydrocarbons and chlorinated hydrocarbons, with the exception of PERCand DF2000 which are explicitly not covered by the lipophilic fluiddefinition as used herein. More preferred are the linear and cyclicpolysiloxanes and hydrocarbons of the glycol ether, acetate ester,lactate ester families. Preferred lipophilic fluids include cyclicsiloxanes having a boiling point at 760 mm Hg. of below about 250° C.Specifically preferred cyclic siloxanes for use in this invention areoctamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, anddodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane. Preferably, the cyclic siloxane comprisesdecamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5, pentamer) and is substantially free ofoctamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (tetramer) anddodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (hexamer).

[0043] However, it should be understood that useful cyclic siloxanemixtures might contain, in addition to the preferred cyclic siloxanes,minor amounts of other cyclic siloxanes includingoctamethylcyclotetrasiloxane and hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane or highercyclics such as tetradecamethylcycloheptasiloxane. Generally the amountof these other cyclic siloxanes in useful cyclic siloxane mixtures willbe less than about 10 percent based on the total weight of the mixture.The industry standard for cyclic siloxane mixtures is that such mixturescomprise less than about 1% by weight of the mixture ofoctamethylcyclotetrasiloxane.

[0044] Hydrophobic Chelants

[0045] The methods and compositions of the present invention includehydrophobic chelants at a level of suitable for the purpose as known bythose of ordinary skill in the art. For example from about 1 ppm toabout 100 ppm and/or from about 10 ppm to about 50 ppm by weight of thecompositions.

[0046] Nonlimiting examples of hydrophobic chelants in accordance withthe present invention include EHPG derivatives and diesters of EDTA,derivatives of HEDTA, for example a lauric acid derivative of theformula:

[0047] wherein R is a C₁-C₁₄ alkyl, typically a C₆-C₁₂ alkyl; diesterderivatives of EHPG such as shown in the formula:

[0048] wherein a C₁-C₁₄ alkyl, typically a C₆-C₁₂ alkyl group issubstituted in the para position of the phenol; EDTA C8 diester;phenolic hydrophobic metal ion chelators, such as shown in the formula:

[0049] chelating agents containing 1) C5-14 hydrophobic group and/or 2)anionic groups; HO2CCHR1NHCR3R4CR5R6NHCR2CO2H (R1-2=2-hydroxyphenyloptionally substituted by 1-4 alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, Cl,alkoxysulfonyl, or other groups; R3-6=H, alkyl), e.g.,[HO-o-C6H4CH(CO2H)NHCH2]2; hydroxyphenylglycine derivatives;

[0050] ethylenediaminephenol derivatives of the formula 1, below or itssalt, where X1,X2=OH; Y1-8=H, OH, halogen, COOH, a phosphonic acidgroup, a sulfonic acid group, CO, a nitro group, a nitroso group, anamino group, an imino group, a nitrilo group, a nitrile group, athiocyanate group, a hydroxyamino group, a hydroxyimino group, or alkylor alkoxy which may have a substituent, provided that one of Y1-8 is nota H atom; Z1-4=H, COOH, or a sulfonic acid group; and R1-4=H or alkylwhich may have a substituent.

[0051] ethylenediamine-N,N′-bis(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)acetic acid,such as shown in the formula:

[0052] ethylenediaminetetraacetic anhydride derivatives; anhydrides (I)of EDTA was treated with 2,6-dimethylphenol, citric acid,ethylenediamine (II), ethylene glycol, NH2OH.HCl, di-Etdiethylaminoethylphosphonate, glycine, HSCH2CH2NH2, or a similar compd.to prep. sym. diamides, diesters, polyamides, or polyesters of EDTA thatare useful as chelating agents, stabilizers, or detergent additives.Amides can also be prepd. by treatment of ethylenediaminediacetic acidor II with ClCH2CONHMe or BrCH2CONHMe; amides and esters of EDTA;glycine, N,N′-1,2-ethanediylbis[N-(carboxymethyl)-, reaction productswith amino alcohols and amino esters; EDTA ethylenediamine polyamide;detergent additive EDTA polyamide; glycol EDTA polyester; alc EDTAester; amine EDTA amide; phosphonate EDTA ester; EDTA diesters, thealkyl groups of which consist of up to 22 C atoms; EDTA dialkyl esters;diethyl, didodecyl, and dioctadecyl esters of EDTA; didodecyl EDTAesters; (ethylenedinitrilo)tetraacetic acid dialkyl esters and mixturesthereof.

[0053] In another embodiment, the addition of hydrophilic chelants tothe polar phase, whereby they become soluble in the hydrophobic phaseupon chelating a soil. Example, let say a low MW lupasol (which is onlysoluble in the water phase) goes down to the surface and chelates a soil(tea). The chelation of the polyphenolics may make the lupasol solublein the lipophilic fluid.

[0054] Additional chelants suitable for use herein may include siliconechelants or polymeric chelants.

[0055] EHPG is Ethylene bis([o-hydroxyphenyl]glycine)

[0056] EDTA is Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid

[0057] HEDTA is 2-hydroxyethylethylenediamine triacidic acid

[0058] In one embodiment, the hydrophobic chelants are ligands that havehigh transition metal binding constants, at least comparable to EDTA.The hydrophobicity is being achieved by esterifying carboxylates tolower anionic charge or by attaching hydrophobic groups to the aromaticportion of EHPG.

[0059] In a preferred embodiment, the chelants are soluble in thelipophilic fluid, such as D5.

[0060] In yet another embodiment, the chelants have R groups that areesters, amides or separately as alkyl groups on the phenols that aresiloxanes, ethyleneoxides and propyleneoxides. The chainlength sizeshould be similar to the alkyl chains maybe up to 10 siloxylethylgroups, 6 or so EOs or POs. Nonlimiting examples of which are shownbelow.

[0061] In still another embodiment, the hydrophobic chelant may be anEDDS type of derivative, especially where diesters and/or alkyl chainsare present on the secondary N-atoms.

[0062] Also in the general structure for EHPG -type chelants, especiallywhere Z2 or Z4=CH2COOR, R=ester or H. Such structures encompass the HBEDchelants.

[0063] Adjunct Ingredients

[0064] Adjunct materials can vary widely and can be used at widelyranging levels. For example, detersive enzymes such as proteases,amylases, cellulases, lipases and the like as well as bleach catalystsincluding the macrocyclic types having manganese or similar transitionmetals all useful in laundry and cleaning products can be used herein atvery low, or less commonly, higher levels. Adjunct materials that arecatalytic, for example enzymes, can be used in “forward” or “reverse”modes, a discovery independently useful from the specific appliances ofthe present invention. For example, a lipolase or other hydrolase may beused, optionally in the presence of alcohols as adjuncts, to convertfatty acids to esters, thereby increasing their solubility in thelipophilic fluid. This is a “reverse” operation, in contrast with thenormal use of this hydrolase in water to convert a less water-solublefatty ester to a more water-soluble material. In any event, any adjunctingredient must be suitable for use in combination with the lipophilicfluid.

[0065] The compositions may comprise emulsifiers. Emulsifiers are wellknown in the chemical art. Essentially, an emulsifier acts to bring twoor more insoluble or semi-soluble phases together to create a stable orsemi-stable emulsion. It is preferred in the claimed invention that theemulsifier serves a dual purpose wherein it is capable of acting notonly as an emulsifier but also as a treatment performance booster. Forexample, the emulsifier may also act as a surfactant thereby boostingcleaning performance. Both ordinary emulsifiers andemulsifier/surfactants are commercially available.

[0066] Some suitable cleaning additives (adjunct ingredients) include,but are not limited to, builders, surfactants, enzymes, bleachactivators, bleach catalysts, bleach boosters, bleaches, alkalinitysources, antibacterial agents, colorants, perfumes, pro-perfumes,finishing aids, lime soap dispersants, composition malodor controlagents, odor neutralizers, polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents,crystal growth inhibitors, photobleaches, non-hydrophobic chelants,anti-tarnishing agents, anti-microbial agents, anti-oxidants,anti-redeposition agents, soil release polymers, electrolytes, pHmodifiers, thickeners, abrasives, divalent or trivalent ions, metal ionsalts, enzyme stabilizers, corrosion inhibitors, diamines or polyaminesand/or their alkoxylates, suds stabilizing polymers, solvents, processaids, fabric softening agents, optical brighteners, hydrotropes, suds orfoam suppressors, suds or foam boosters, fabric softeners, antistaticagents, dye fixatives, dye abrasion inhibitors, anti-crocking agents,wrinkle reduction agents, wrinkle resistance agents, soil releasepolymers, soil repellency agents, sunscreen agents, anti-fade agents,and mixtures thereof.

[0067] The term “surfactant” conventionally refers to materials that aresurface-active either in the water, the lipophilic fluid, or the mixtureof the two. Some illustrative surfactants include nonionic, cationic andsilicone surfactants as used in conventional aqueous detergent systems.Suitable nonionic surfactants include, but are not limited to:

[0068] a) Polyethylene oxide condensates of nonyl phenol and myristylalcohol, such as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,685,930 Kasprzak; and

[0069] b) fatty alcohol ethoxylates, R—(OCH₂CH₂)_(a)OH a=1 to 100,typically 12-40, R=hydrocarbon residue 8 to 20 C atoms, typically linearalkyl. Examples polyoxyethylene lauryl ether, with 4 or 23 oxyethylenegroups; polyoxyethylene cetyl ether with 2, 10 or 20 oxyethylene groups;polyoxyethylene stearyl ether, with 2, 10, 20, 21 or 100 oxyethylenegroups; polyoxyethylene (2), (10) oleyl ether, with 2 or 10 oxyethylenegroups. Commercially available examples include, but are not limited to:ALFONIC, BRIJ, GENAPOL, NEODOL, SURFONIC, TRYCOL. See also U.S. Pat. No.6,013,683 Hill et al.

[0070] Suitable caiionic surfactants include, but are not limited todialkyldimethylammonium salts having the formula:

R′R″N⁺(CH₃)₂X⁻

[0071] Where each R′R″ is independently selected from the groupconsisting of 12-30 C atoms or derived from tallow, coconut oil or soy,X=Cl or Br, Examples include: didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB),dihexadecyldimethyl ammonium chloride, dihexadecyldimethyl ammoniumbromide, dioctadecyldimethyl ammonium chloride, dieicosyldimethylammonium chloride, didocosyldimethyl ammonium chloride,dicoconutdimethyl ammonium chloride, ditallowdimethyl ammonium bromide(DTAB). Commercially available examples include, but are not limited to:ADOGEN, ARQUAD, TOMAH, VARIQUAT. See also U.S. Pat. No. 6,013,683 Hillet al., .

[0072] Suitable silicone surfactants include, but are not limited to thepolyalkyleneoxide polysiloxanes having a dimethyl polysiloxanehydrophobic moiety and one or more hydrophilic polyalkylene side chainsand have the general formula:

R¹—(CH₃)₂SiO—[(CH₃)₂SiO]_(a)[(CH₃)(R¹)SiO]_(b)—Si(CH₃)₂—R¹

[0073] wherein a+b are from about 1 to about 50, preferably from about 3to about 30, more preferably from about 10 to about 25, and each R¹ isthe same or different and is selected from the group consisting ofmethyl and a poly(ethyleneoxide/propyleneoxide) copolymer group havingthe general formula:

—(CH₂)_(n)O(C₂H₄O)_(c)(C₃H₆O)_(d)R²

[0074] with at least one R¹ being a poly(ethyleneoxide/propyleneoxide)copolymer group, and wherein n is 3 or 4, preferably 3; total c (for allpolyalkyleneoxy side groups) has a value of from 1 to about 100,preferably from about 6 to about 100; total d is from 0 to about 14,preferably from 0 to about 3; and more preferably d is 0; total c+d hasa value of from about 5 to about 150, preferably from about 9 to about100 and each R² is the same or different and is selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, an alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and anacetyl group, preferably hydrogen and methyl group. Examples of thesesurfactants may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,705,562 Hill and U.S. Pat.No. 5,707,613 Hill, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0075] Examples of this type of surfactants are the Silwet® surfactantswhich are available CK Witco, OSi Division, Danbury, Conn.Representative Silwet surfactants are as follows. Name Average MWAverage a + b Average total c L-7608 600 1 9 L-7607 1,000 2 17 L-77 6001 9 L-7605 6,000 20 99 L-7604 4,000 21 53 L-7600 4,000 11 68 L-76575,000 20 76 L-7602 3,000 20 29

[0076] The molecular weight of the polyalkyleneoxy group (R¹) is lessthan or equal to about 10,000. Preferably, the molecular weight of thepolyalkyleneoxy group is less than or equal to about 8,000, and mostpreferably ranges from about 300 to about 5,000. Thus, the values of cand d can be those numbers which provide molecular weights within theseranges. However, the number of ethyleneoxy units (—C₂H₄O) in thepolyether chain (R¹) must be sufficient to render the polyalkyleneoxidepolysiloxane water dispersible or water soluble. If propyleneoxy groupsare present in the polyalkylenoxy chain, they can be distributedrandomly in the chain or exist as blocks. Preferred Silwet surfactantsare L-7600, L-7602, L-7604, L-7605, L-7657, and mixtures thereof.Besides surface activity, polyalkyleneoxide polysiloxane surfactants canalso provide other benefits, such as antistatic benefits, and softnessto fabrics.

[0077] The preparation of polyalkyleneoxide polysiloxanes is well knownin the art. Polyalkyleneoxide polysiloxanes of the present invention canbe prepared according to the procedure set forth in U.S. Pat. No.3,299,112, incorporated herein by reference.

[0078] Another suitable silicone surfactant is SF-1488, which isavailable from GE silicone fluids.

[0079] These and other surfactants suitable for use in combination withthe lipophilic fluid as adjuncts are well known in the art, beingdescribed in more detail in Kirk Othmer's Encyclopedia of ChemicalTechnology, 3rd Ed., Vol. 22, pp. 360-379, “Surfactants and DetersiveSystems”, incorporated by reference herein. Further suitable nonionicdetergent surfactants are generally disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.3,929,678, Laughlin et al., issued Dec. 30, 1975, at column 13, line 14through column 16, line 6, incorporated herein by reference.

[0080] The adjunct may also be an antistatic agent. Any suitablewell-known antistatic agents used in laundering and dry cleaning art aresuitable for use in the methods and compositions of the presentinvention. Especially suitable as antistatic agents are the subset offabric softeners which are known to provide antistatic benefits. Forexample those fabric softeners which have a fatty acyl group which hasan iodine value of above 20, such asN,N-di(tallowoyl-oxy-ethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium methylsulfate.However, it is-to be understood that the term antistatic agent is not tobe limited to just this subset of fabric softeners and includes allantistatic agents.

[0081] Although the methods and/or compositions utilized in presentinvention will be described in detail, it should be understood, and oneskilled in the art will recognize, that any compositions, processes,and/or apparatuses capable of carrying out the invention could be used.

[0082] Method

[0083] The method of the present invention is directed to attainingimproved fabric cleaning in a lipophilic fluid treatment regimen, andincludes the steps of exposing the fabric to a lipophilic fluid andexposing the fabric to a hydrophobic chelant. Optionally but preferably,it may include the step of exposing the fabric to a polar phase.

[0084] The polar phase may include water, alcohol, or mixtures thereof.If the polar phase does include water, it preferably comprises at leastabout 0.5% water by weight of fabric and at most about 10% water byweight of fabric.

[0085] The lipophilic fluid may comprise a linear siloxane, a cyclicsiloxane, or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the lipophilic fluid isselected from the group consisting essentially ofoctamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane,dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane, and mixtures thereof. Even morepreferably, the lipophilic fluid comprises decamethylcyclopentasiloxane.Most preferably, the lipophilic fluid comprisesdecamethylcyclopentasiloxane and is substantially free ofoctamethylcyclotetrasiloxane. Due to the flash points of theaforementioned siloxanes, the method preferably occurs at less thanabout 80° C.

[0086] While carrying out the method of the present invention, thefabrics may also be exposed to an emulsifier an/or a surfactant eitherseparately or as a result of being contained within the polar phase, thelipophilic fluid, and/or the bleach system. The fabrics may also beexposed to adjunct ingredients selected from the group consistingessentially of enzymes, bleaches, surfactants, fabric softeners,perfumes, antibacterial agents, antistatic agents, brighteners, dyefixatives, dye abrasion inhibitors, anti-crocking agents, wrinklereduction agents, wrinkle resistance agents, soil release polymers,sunscreen agents, anti-fade agents, builders, chelants, sudsing agents,composition malodor control agents, composition coloring agents, pHbuffers, waterproofing agents, soil repellency agents, and mixturesthereof. These adjuncts can also be applied either separately or as aresult of being contained within the polar phase, the lipophilic fluid,and/or the hydrophobic chelant.

[0087] Composition

[0088] The composition of the present invention is directed to attainingimproved fabric cleaning in a lipophilic fluid treatment regimen,wherein the composition comprises a lipophilic fluid and a hydrophobicchelant. Optionally, the composition can further comprise a polar phase.

[0089] If included, the polar phase may include water, alcohol, andmixtures thereof. Also, the polar phase preferably comprises at leastabout 0.1% water by weight of composition and at most about 5% water byweight of composition.

[0090] Further, the polar phase may comprise a buffer to maintain pH.

[0091] The composition may contain non-hydrophobic chelants also tostabilize the product during storage prior to delivery in the lipophilicsystem. Such chelating agents may comprise, but are not limited to,ethylenediaminedisuccunate (EDDS), ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid(EDTA), quaternary ammonia compounds, or1-Hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP).

[0092] The lipophilic fluid may comprise a linear siloxane, a cyclicsiloxane, or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the lipophilic fluidcomprises a lipophilic fluid selected from the group consistingessentially of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane,decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane, andmixtures thereof. More preferably, the lipophilic fluid comprisesdecamethylcyclopentasiloxane. Most preferably, the lipophilic fluidcomprises decamethylcyclopentasiloxane and is substantially free ofoctamethylcyclotetrasiloxane.

[0093] The bleach system may include oxygen-based bleach, bleachactivator and a peroxide source, pre-formed peracid, oxidative bleachenzyme, photo bleach, bleach boosting compounds, metal bleach catalysts,ozone, chlorine dioxide or mixtures of multiple bleach systems. If thebleach system comprises pre-formed peracid the polar phase preferablycomprises at least about 1% water by weight of fabric. Preferably, thebleach system has at least about 2 ppm AvO, more preferably at leastabout 25 ppm AvO, even more preferably at least about 50 ppm AvO, evenmore preferably at least about 100 ppm AvO. Preferably, the bleachsystem has at most about 10000 ppm AvO. Most preferably, the bleachsystem has at least about 100 ppm AvO and at most about 5000 ppm AvO.The bleach system may be within the polar phase and/or within thelipophilic fluid as opposed to being a stand-alone component.

[0094] While carrying out the present invention, the fabrics may also beexposed to an emulsifier an/or a surfactant either separately or as aresult of being contained within the polar phase, the lipophilic fluid,and/or the bleach system. The fabrics may also be exposed to adjunctingredients selected from the group consisting essentially of enzymes,bleaches, emulsifiers, surfactants, fabric softeners, perfumes,antibacterial agents, antistatic agents, brighteners, dye fixatives, dyeabrasion inhibitors, anti-crocking agents, wrinkle reduction agents,wrinkle resistance agents, soil release polymers, sunscreen agents,anti-fade agents, builders, chelants, sudsing agents, compositionmalodor control agents, composition coloring agents, pH buffers,waterproofing agents, soil repellency agents, and mixtures thereof.These adjuncts can also be applied either separately or as a result ofbeing contained within the polar phase, the lipophilic fluid, and/or thebleach system.

[0095] It will be understood that the methods and/or compositions of thepresent invention may be combined with other fabric treatments. Forexample, prior to the application of the lipophilic fluid the fabricarticles may be subjected to the particulate removal method described inco-pending application Serial No. 60/191,965, to Noyes et al., filedMar. 24, 2000, the relevant parts of which are incorporated herein byreference.

[0096] The present invention may be used in a service, such as a drycleaning service, diaper service, uniform cleaning service, orcommercial business, such as a Laundromat, dry cleaner, linen servicewhich is part of a hotel, restaurant, convention center, airport, cruiseship, port facility, casino, or may be used in the home.

[0097] The methods and/or compositions of the present invention may beperformed in an apparatus that is a modified existing apparatus and isretrofitted in such a manner as to conduct the process of the presentinvention in addition to related processes.

[0098] The methods and/or compositions of the present invention may alsobe performed in an apparatus, which is not a modified existing apparatusbut is one specifically built in such a manner so as to conduct theprocess of the present invention or may be added to another apparatus aspart of a lipophilic fluid processing system. This would include all theassociated plumbing, such as connection to a chemical and water supply,and sewerage for waste wash fluids.

[0099] Finally, the methods of the present invention may be performed inan apparatus, which is not a modified existing apparatus but is onespecifically built in such a manner so as to conduct the process of thepresent invention and related processes.

[0100] An apparatus used to carry out the present invention willtypically contain some type of control system. These include electricalsystems, such as, the so-called smart control systems, as well-as moretraditional electromechanical systems. The control systems would enablethe user to select the size of the fabric load to be cleaned, the typeof soiling, the extent of the soiling, the time for the cleaning cycle.Alternatively, the user could use pre-set cleaning and/or refreshingcycles, or the apparatus could control the length of the cycle, based onany number of ascertainable parameters. This would be especially truefor electrical control systems. For example, when the collection rate oflipophilic fluid reaches a steady rate the apparatus could turn its selfoff after a fixed period of time, or initiate another process for thelipophilic fluid.

[0101] In the case of electrical control systems, one option is to makethe control device a so-called “smart device”. This could meanincluding, but not limited to, self diagnostic system, load type andcycle selection, linking the machine to the Internet and allowing forthe consumer to start the apparatus remotely, be informed when theapparatus has cleaned a fabric article, or for the supplier to remotelydiagnose problems if the apparatus should break down. Furthermore, ifthe apparatus of the present invention is only a part of a cleaningsystem, the so called “smart system” could be communicating with theother cleaning devices which would be used to complete the remainder ofthe cleaning process, such as a washing machine, and a dryer.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for treating a fabric article in need oftreatment comprising the step of exposing the fabric article to ahydrophobic chelant-containing composition comprising a lipophilic fluidand a hydrophobic chelant, such that the fabric article is treated.
 2. Amethod according to claim 1 wherein composition further comprises apolar phase.
 3. A method according to claim 2 wherein said polar phasecomprises water.
 4. A method according to claim 2 wherein said polarphase comprises at least about 0.1% water by weight of fabric.
 5. Amethod according to claim 3 wherein said polar phase comprises at mostabout 5% water by weight of fabric.
 6. A method according to claim 2wherein said polar phase comprises alcohol.
 7. The method according toclaim 1 wherein the lipophilic fluid comprises a linear siloxane, acyclic siloxane and mixtures thereof.
 8. The method according to claim 1wherein said lipophilic fluid comprises a lipophilic fluid selected fromthe group consisting of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane,decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane, andmixtures thereof.
 9. The method according to claim 8 wherein saidlipophilic fluid comprises decamethylcyclopentasiloxane.
 10. The methodaccording to claim 8 wherein said lipophilic fluid comprisesdecamethylcyclopentasiloxane and is substantially free ofoctamethylcyclotetrasiloxane.
 11. A method according to claim 1comprising the additional step of exposing said fabric article to anemulsifier.
 12. A method according to claim 1 comprising the additionalstep of exposing said fabric article to a surfactant.
 13. A methodaccording to claim 1 wherein the method occurs at less than about 80° C.14. A method according to claim 2 wherein the method occurs at less thanabout 80° C.
 15. A method according to claim 1 wherein said fabric isalso exposed to adjunct ingredients selected from the group consistingof enzymes, bleaches, surfactants, fabric softeners, perfumes,antibacterial agents, antistatic agents, brighteners, dye fixatives, dyeabrasion inhibitors, anti-crocking agents, wrinkle reduction agents,wrinkle resistance agents, soil release polymers, sunscreen agents,anti-fade agents, builders, chelants, sudsing agents, compositionmalodor control agents, composition coloring agents, pH buffers,waterproofing agents, soil repellency agents, and mixtures thereof. 16.A fabric treating composition comprising a lipophilic fluid and ahydrophobic chelant.
 17. The composition according to claim 16 whereinsaid composition further comprises a polar phase.
 18. The compositionaccording to claim 17 wherein said polar phase comprises water.
 19. Thecomposition according to claim 18 wherein said polar phase comprises atleast about 0.1% water by weight of composition.
 20. The compositionaccording to claim 18 wherein said polar phase comprises at most about5% water by weight of composition.
 21. The composition according toclaim 17 wherein said polar phase comprises alcohol.
 22. The compositionaccording to claim 16 wherein said lipophilic fluid comprises a linearsiloxane, a cyclic siloxane, or mixtures thereof.
 23. The compositionaccording to claim 16 wherein said lipophilic fluid comprises alipophilic fluid selected from the group consisting ofoctamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane,dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane, and mixtures thereof.
 24. The compositionaccording to claim 23 wherein said lipophilic fluid comprisesdecamethylcyclopentasiloxane.
 25. The composition according to claim 23wherein said lipophilic fluid comprises decamethylcyclopentasiloxane andis substantially free of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane.
 26. Thecomposition according to claim 16 further comprising adjunct ingredientsselected from the group consisting of enzymes, bleaches, emulsifiers,surfactants, fabric softeners, perfumes, antibacterial agents,antistatic agents, brighteners, dye fixatives, dye abrasion inhibitors,anti-crocking agents, wrinkle reduction agents, wrinkle resistanceagents, soil release polymers, sunscreen agents, anti-fade agents,builders, non-hydrophobic chelants, sudsing agents, composition malodorcontrol agents, composition coloring agents, pH buffers, waterproofingagents, soil repellency agents, and mixtures thereof.